Manufacturing process:
- Raw Materials: Starts with refining silica sand to produce pure silicon. Pure silicon is used to create ingots that will form the basis of solar panels.
- Wafer manufacturing: Silicon ingots are sliced into thin wafers of about 180-200 micrometers. This step requires high precision to minimize material loss.
- Wafer Treatment: The wafers are chemically treated and surface textured to reduce light reflection. This increases the amount of light absorbed by the cell.
- Cell formation: Anti-reflective coatings and conductive contacts are applied to the plates. PERC (Passivated Emitter and Rear Cell) technology is used, which includes passivation of the front and rear surfaces of the cell, which reduces charge recombination and increases efficiency.
- Panel assembly: The finished cells are assembled into modules, placed in protective layers of glass and plastic, and framed with aluminum frames. Electrical connections and back-current protection systems are also added.
Increased efficiency and power
Modern panels such as the Redbo LR5-72HPH-550M achieve high efficiency by using monocrystalline cells and PERC technology. This improves light absorption and increases output power, providing an efficiency of up to 21.5%.
What is PERC technology?
PERC (Passivated Emitter and Rear Cell) technology includes several key stages:
- Passivated Emitter: The top layer of the solar cell is coated with a thin passivation layer that reduces the recombination of electrons and holes, increasing the efficiency of light absorption.
- Back Passivated Surface: A dielectric layer is applied to the back side of the cell, which reflects unabsorbed light back into the cell, increasing the chances of its absorption.
Advantages of PERC technology:
- Increased Efficiency: By reducing light loss and recombination, PERC solar cells have significantly higher efficiency than traditional cells.
- Improved Low Light Performance: PERC cells perform better in low light conditions, making them effective for longer periods of the day and in less favorable climates.
- Increased Power: The technology allows solar panels to generate more energy in a smaller area, which is especially important for tight spaces.
- Durability: Passivated layers protect cells from degradation, extending the life of panels and increasing their reliability.
Types of solar panels:
- Monocrystalline: Made from a single crystal of silicon. Highly efficient (up to 22%) and durable. Highly expensive to produce, but provide the highest performance and compactness.
- Polycrystalline: Made from multiple silicon crystals. They are less expensive to produce, but also slightly less efficient (around 15-17%) than monocrystalline panels. They are less efficient in low light conditions.
- Thin Film: Made from thin layers of photovoltaic material such as cadmium telluride or amorphous silicon. Flexible and lightweight, they can be mounted on a variety of surfaces. Thin film panels are typically less efficient (around 10-12%) than crystalline panels.
Development prospects
Solar panels are becoming more affordable and efficient due to continuous innovations in materials and technologies. The future is expected to see further reductions in production costs, increased efficiency, and the integration of new materials such as perovskites, which can significantly improve the performance of solar panels.
Conclusion
The Redbo LR5-72HPH-550M showcases the latest advances in solar technology, offering high power and efficiency. This panel is a great example of how the industry continues to evolve and improve, providing sustainable and reliable solar energy solutions.
